Kinesis Freestyle2 vs Mistel Barocco MD600: Fully Split Keyboards Compared

After six months on a curved ergonomic keyboard (the Logitech K860), I was ready for the next step. The wrist relief was real but partial — I still had occasional forearm tension during long coding days, and I’d read enough posts in r/ErgoMechKeyboards to understand why: connected halves limit how far apart you can position your hands. True shoulder-width hand placement requires a fully split keyboard.

The problem with true split keyboards is they tend to either cost a lot ($300+) or require you to learn an entirely new layout (columnar ortholinear). What I wanted was a fully separate two-halves keyboard that still used a standard staggered QWERTY layout, so I wouldn’t have to restart my typing career while also learning new ergonomics.

Two keyboards kept coming up in this exact conversation: the Kinesis Freestyle2 and the Mistel Barocco MD600. Both are fully split staggered keyboards in the $100-200 range. Both let you position each half at shoulder width. Both are well-established options with years of real-world user feedback on Reddit.

I ran both for eight weeks each as my sole keyboard. Here’s what separates them.

Quick Verdict

Best for quiet office use and simple setup: Kinesis Freestyle2. Membrane switches, whisper-quiet, dead simple to set up, comes in versions with built-in tenting. It’s the ergonomic recommendation for someone who doesn’t want to think too hard about keyboards.

Best for mechanical switch feel, programmability, and serious ergo customization: Mistel Barocco MD600. Mechanical switches, hot-swappable on the newer revision, compact 60% layout, and more aggressive tenting options. For a programmer who wants real customization, this is the better choice.

The honest truth: If you’re not a keyboard person and you just want wrist relief, buy the Freestyle2 and don’t overthink it. If you’re already into mechanical keyboards and want a split option that doesn’t cost $350, the Barocco is the more interesting purchase.

Check Freestyle2 price on Amazon | Check Barocco MD600 price on Amazon

Side-by-Side Specs

Kinesis Freestyle2 Deep Dive

The Design and Versions

The Kinesis Freestyle2 comes in multiple configurations that you need to understand before buying:

• Base model ($99): Two halves connected by a 9” cable, no tenting, no palm rests. You lay it flat on your desk.
• Freestyle2 with Lifters ($99-$109): Same keyboard with 5°/10°/15° adjustable tenting lifters included.
• VIP3 Accessory Kit (~$40 add-on): Adds palm rests and 15° tenting if you bought the base model.
• Mac version and PC version both exist — they’re physically identical but come configured differently out of the box.

My strong recommendation: buy the version with tenting lifters included or budget for the VIP3 kit. A split keyboard lying flat is a split keyboard missing its most important ergonomic feature. The spread alone reduces ulnar deviation, but tenting (raising the inner edges to bring your palms into a semi-pronated position) is what eliminates forearm pronation strain.

The 9” cable between halves is short enough that most people will want to go to the Kinesis website and order the 20” cable ($10-15 separately). With a 9” cable, the split is limited — you’re maybe 6 inches apart. The 20” cable lets you place each half at true shoulder width.

Typing Feel

The Freestyle2 uses membrane switches. They’re quiet, consistent, and require approximately 45g of actuation force. Coming from mechanical keyboards, the feel is softer — there’s no tactile bump, no audible click, just a smooth press-through with a gentle resistance that increases slightly near the bottom. After a week I was fully adjusted.

One thing I genuinely appreciated: because the membrane switches have shorter travel (2.0mm), my fingers don’t have to move as far per keystroke. During long writing or coding sessions, that reduced motion compounds over tens of thousands of keystrokes into measurably less finger fatigue. It’s not dramatic — but it’s real.

Noise level is excellent. The Freestyle2 is quieter than a laptop keyboard. In a shared office, you could type a 2,000-word document without anyone noticing.

Ergonomic Assessment

The main ergonomic wins of the Freestyle2 are:

1. True split positioning: Each half can go wherever you need it. At true shoulder width, with your arms hanging naturally, your wrists are straight — no ulnar deviation at all. This alone is the biggest ergonomic improvement over any connected-halves keyboard.

2. Tenting (with the right configuration): The lifters provide 5°, 10°, or 15° of tenting angle. At 15°, your forearms rotate from fully pronated to a more neutral position. Most people settle around 10-12 degrees after a week of adjustment. Note that 15° is the maximum — if you want more aggressive tenting (20-25°+ like some r/ErgoMechKeyboards enthusiasts use), you’ll need a different keyboard or DIY solutions.

3. Negative tilt compatibility: Because each half is independent, you can add negative tilt (front of keyboard higher than back) by placing something under the front edge. This is a DIY fix, but it works.

Programmability and Software

Here’s where the Freestyle2 shows its limits. There’s essentially no firmware to speak of. The function keys do basic media and system control via toggle, and there’s a limited onboard macro system (hold a key combination to record a macro, play it back later). No layers. No remapping beyond what the physical DIP switches allow.

For office workers: this is completely fine. Everything you need is where it’s always been.

For programmers: you’re going to feel constrained. If you want layers, home row mods, or custom shortcuts, look at the Barocco or a QMK-capable keyboard.

Mistel Barocco MD600 Deep Dive

The Design and Layout

The Barocco MD600 is a 60% split keyboard — meaning it has the alpha keys, number row, and modifier keys, but no dedicated function row, no arrow cluster, no Home/End/PgUp/PgDn. These functions are accessible via layers using the Fn key, but you need to learn where they live.

This is the keyboard’s biggest barrier for new users. If you regularly use F5 to refresh browsers, F12 for developer tools, or arrow keys for navigation, you’ll need a relearning period. The Fn layer maps for the Barocco are logical (arrows are on WASD/IJKL depending on how you configure it), but it takes 1-2 weeks before the layer access feels automatic.

Why 60% for an ergonomic keyboard? Because a smaller form factor means each half is more compact, which means your thumbs are closer to the spacebar and your pinkies don’t have to stretch as far to reach modifiers. The reduced key count is an ergonomic choice, not just an aesthetic one — though it does require layer commitment.

The split cable between halves is 100mm — about 4 inches. This is notably shorter than the Freestyle2’s already-short 9” cable. The Barocco’s intended use has the two halves close together or angled inward (like a V shape), not spread to full shoulder width. Some users use a USB extension cable to get more separation, though this is not officially supported and your mileage may vary.

Typing Feel

The MD600 uses real mechanical switches — Cherry MX Brown, Red, Blue, or Silent Red depending on your order. The newer revision is hot-swappable (confirm before purchasing; some listings are old stock). The typing feel is everything you’d expect from Cherry MX: consistent 4.0mm travel, defined actuation point on tactile and clicky variants, smooth all the way down on linears.

I tested with MX Brown switches and the tactile feedback made a genuine difference for accuracy — the slight bump at the actuation point means you don’t need to bottom out to register a keypress. Combined with the split positioning, my error rate dropped noticeably in the second week.

If you get the hot-swap version, swapping to Gateron switches (especially Gateron Yellow or Gateron Silent Red linears) is a popular upgrade. Gateron linears are smoother than Cherry equivalents at the same price point and well worth the upgrade if you prefer linears.

Tenting

The Barocco has integrated tenting legs that offer 0°, 6°, and 12° angles. Unlike the Freestyle2’s external lifters, the legs fold out from the bottom of the keyboard — no accessories required, no extra purchase. At 12°, the tenting is noticeable and effective. At 0°, it lays flat if you want to start without tenting and dial it in gradually.

The limitation is that 12° is the maximum. People in r/ErgoMechKeyboards have built 3D-printed tenting stands for the Barocco to get more aggressive angles (20-25°), and several STL files are available on Thingiverse. If you want more than 12° without DIY work, the Barocco isn’t your keyboard.

Programmability

This is where the Barocco distinguishes itself from the Freestyle2. The MD600 has DIP switches on the bottom for hardware-level remapping (swap Caps Lock and Ctrl, change the Mac/PC layout, etc.) and firmware-level programmability through Mistel’s configurator software for full remapping and layer customization.

The configurator is functional but not as polished as ZSA’s Oryx — it’s Windows-only (Mac users need to use DIP switches or the limited onboard programming), and the interface requires some patience to navigate. But you can remap any key to any other key, set up layers, and record macros. For programmers who want custom shortcuts without investing in a ZMK/QMK keyboard, this level of programmability is genuinely useful.

Head-to-Head

Comfort and Wrist Relief

Winner: Slight edge to Freestyle2 for most users.

Both deliver genuine wrist relief through true split positioning. The split is the most important variable, and both do it. The tiebreaker is real-world usability: the Freestyle2’s full-size layout means you don’t have to learn new muscle memory for common keys, which means you’re less likely to compromise your posture or typing form during the adjustment period. The Barocco’s 60% layout introduces enough cognitive load (where are the arrow keys again?) that some users unconsciously tense up while they’re adapting.

For ergonomic benefit alone, in a pure lab sense: at their maximum tenting angles they’re comparable (Freestyle2 at 15°, Barocco at 12°). The Freestyle2 wins by 3 degrees.

Learning Curve

Winner: Freestyle2 — not close.

Standard staggered layout, full key count, plug in and type immediately at full speed. The only adjustment is split positioning, which most people adapt to in 2-3 days.

The Barocco adds a 60% layout learning curve on top of the split adjustment. That’s two new things to learn simultaneously. For the first two weeks, you’ll feel slower and more frustrated. Plan for it.

Build Quality and Feel

Winner: Barocco.

Mechanical switches on a PCB versus a membrane dome sheet — the Barocco wins this category easily. The per-key RGB (on applicable variants) adds visual customization. The hot-swap socket on newer revisions is a genuine quality-of-life feature that lets you experiment with different switches without soldering. The aluminum top plate on the MD600 feels more premium than the Freestyle2’s plastic construction.

Features

Winner: Barocco.

More tenting configurations, mechanical switches, programmable firmware, hot-swap capability, RGB lighting, DIP switch Mac/Win toggling. The Barocco has more features in every dimension except one: key count.

Value

Winner: Freestyle2.

At $100-130 versus $150-180 for the Barocco, the Freestyle2 is less expensive and more immediately usable. If you’re not a keyboard enthusiast and you just want wrist relief from a split layout, you’re overpaying for features you won’t use with the Barocco.

Who Should Buy Which

Buy the Kinesis Freestyle2 if:

• You type for work and you want wrist relief without a learning curve. Writers, marketers, administrative professionals, and anyone who needs to keep their typing speed up on day one should buy the Freestyle2. Plug in, spread the halves, start typing.
• You work in an open office environment. The Freestyle2’s membrane switches are genuinely office-quiet. No one will complain. The Barocco with MX Browns is not office-quiet.
• You want to spend as little as possible for true split ergonomics. The Freestyle2 at ~$100 (+ $40 tenting kit if needed) is the most affordable true split keyboard that doesn’t require DIY work.
• You have active RSI or wrist pain and need immediate improvement. Less adjustment cognitive load = less tension = better healing environment. Start here.

Check the Freestyle2 price on Amazon

Buy the Mistel Barocco MD600 if:

• You’re already a mechanical keyboard user and membrane feel is a dealbreaker. The Barocco’s Cherry MX switches and premium build quality will satisfy keyboard enthusiasts in a way the Freestyle2 simply cannot.
• You want programmability without going full custom QMK. The Mistel configurator gives you layer access and remapping at a price point well below ZSA or Dygma.
• You want to swap switches over time. Hot-swap sockets mean you can go from MX Brown tactiles to linear Gaterons without soldering tools. The ability to evolve your switch preference as you learn what you like is genuinely valuable.
• You’re willing to commit to learning the 60% layout. The reduction in finger travel to reach modifiers is real. Once you internalize the Fn layers, most programmers report they don’t miss the dedicated keys.

Check the Barocco MD600 price on Amazon

For RSI Recovery

Neither keyboard alone will fix RSI. Both will meaningfully reduce ulnar deviation from split positioning, and both will reduce forearm pronation strain if you use the tenting features. But if you’re actively in pain, consult a physical therapist before investing in a keyboard — they can assess your specific mechanics and tell you whether split positioning, tenting angle, or something else entirely (mouse position, desk height) is the primary driver of your symptoms.

For Programmers

The Barocco is the more interesting keyboard for programmers, but only if you can commit to the 60% layout. If function keys are part of your daily workflow (IDE shortcuts, browser dev tools, terminal escape sequences), learn where they live in the Barocco’s layer scheme before you buy. If you spend most of your time in a text editor and use keyboard shortcuts through application menus rather than F-keys, the 60% layout is a non-issue.

What to Pair With Either Keyboard

Wrist rest set: If you get the Freestyle2 without the VIP3 kit, add wrist rests. I use a split wrist rest set ($25-35) that positions one pad under each half. For the Barocco, the compact size means most standard 60% keyboard wrist rests fit well. Check wrist rest options on Amazon

Vertical mouse: Once you fix your keyboard ergonomics, your mouse often becomes the next source of strain. A vertical mouse like the Logitech MX Vertical ($80) or the Anker Vertical Mouse (~$30 for a budget option) rotates your grip from palm-down to handshake position, eliminating forearm pronation on the mouse side. Check price on Amazon

Replacement cable (Freestyle2): Order the 20” inter-half cable from Kinesis ($10-15) with your keyboard purchase. The 9” default cable doesn’t give you enough separation for shoulder-width placement.

USB extension (Barocco): If you want more split distance on the Barocco than the 100mm cable allows, a short USB-A male-to-female extension cable (under $10) can give you a few extra inches. Test with your specific unit before relying on it — USB extension through the inter-half cable is not officially supported.

Bottom Line

These are two different keyboards for two different people. The choice is mostly about what you’re willing to learn and how important mechanical switch feel is to you.

If you want the most straightforward path to wrist relief without a learning curve, buy the Kinesis Freestyle2. Get the version with tenting lifters, order the 20” cable if needed, and you’re done. It’s quiet, affordable, and it will meaningfully reduce the strain your wrists absorb every day.

If you’re a programmer or mechanical keyboard enthusiast who wants a split keyboard with real switches, firmware programmability, and hot-swap flexibility — and who can stomach the 60% layout adjustment period — the Mistel Barocco MD600 is the more interesting keyboard. It’s not as polished as a ZSA Voyager, but at $150-180 it’s a much more accessible entry point into serious ergonomic mechanical keyboards.

Both are meaningful steps up from a flat or connected-curve keyboard. The split positioning alone — each half at shoulder width, wrists straight, no ulnar deviation — is worth the purchase price of either one.

Check the Kinesis Freestyle2 on Amazon | Check the Mistel Barocco MD600 on Amazon

Both keyboards purchased at retail price and used as primary keyboards for 8 weeks each. Testing done on a desk with proper height adjustment (elbows at 90°) and a vertical mouse to isolate keyboard ergonomic variables.